# Business Opening Timeline: What to Do Each Week Before Opening

A business opening timeline: what to do 12, 8, 4 and 1 weeks before opening day, including permits, inspections, website, Google listing and announcement.

Source page: https://cheapcheapwebsites.com/small-business-guides/start/business-opening-timeline/
Updated: October 6, 2026

Count back from your opening date: 12 weeks out finish registration and lease checks; 8 weeks out apply for permits and order equipment; 4 weeks out schedule inspections, start the website and Google Business Profile; 1 week out test payments and announce. Permit and inspection times vary, so start those first.

## Week-by-week

| When | Tasks |
| 12+ weeks | Plan, budget, name, structure, registration, EIN, location checks |
| 8 weeks | Permits and licenses applied for, equipment ordered, insurance quotes |
| 6 weeks | Website build started, domain and business email set up, photos planned |
| 4 weeks | Inspections scheduled, Google Business Profile created, payment tools set up |
| 2 weeks | Staff training, soft opening, menu or price list final |
| 1 week | Test everything, announcement posted, opening day plan |

## Plan with the tool

Use the opening timeline planner: enter your opening date and it lists the target date for every task.

## Worked example

A restaurant owner counts back from a target opening date. Health plan review and build-out take the longest, so they start first. Licenses, insurance and supplier accounts follow, then hiring and training, then a soft opening two weeks before launch. The website and Google profile go live a month before opening so the first weeks can be booked.

## Typical long-lead items

- Health plan review and inspections for food businesses
- Build-out and contractor schedules
- Insurance and lease signing
- Equipment with long delivery times
- Hiring and training staff
- Insurance company credentialing for health practices

## Adjusting when things slip

Delays happen. When one step slips, update every later date, tell anyone who depends on the timeline (contractors, staff, partners), and decide whether a soft opening can go ahead while the last details finish. Keep a short list of what absolutely must be done before opening day and what can follow.

## Common questions

### How far ahead should I plan opening?

Three months is a common minimum for businesses that need permits and inspections; simple home services can open faster.

### When should I start my website?

Four to six weeks before opening, so it is live and on Google when you open.

### What usually delays openings?

Permit reviews, inspections and build-out are common causes; build buffers into the timeline.

### Should I announce a date publicly?

Announce once inspections are scheduled or passed, to avoid moving the date.

### How do I track the timeline?

A simple spreadsheet or the opening timeline planner with each task, owner, due date and status works well.

### What should happen in the last two weeks?

Soft opening, final staff training, inventory stocking, testing payments and announcing the opening.

### Can I open in phases?

Yes; many businesses open with core services and add the rest later.

## Sources

- SBA: 10 steps to start your business: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/10-steps-start-your-business
- SBA: Apply for licenses and permits: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/apply-licenses-permits

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